Hatharasinghe Vidanelage Baden Sherinton Ratnavira vs K. D. Nimal Ariyaratne – CA 807/97 F -2017

In the case between Hatharasinghe Vidanelage Baden Sherinton Ratnavira (Plaintiff–Appellant) and K. D. Nimal Ariyaratne (Defendant–Respondent), the court addressed the issue of legal title to land which was allegedly vested in the Land Reform Commission and then purportedly granted to the Plaintiff. The court held that the Plaintiff failed to establish that the land was validly vested in the Land Reform Commission or that a valid grant was made in his favor, and found the Defendant’s title through deeds to be unimpeached. The principle that the burden rests on a claimant to prove legal entitlement was reaffirmed. The decision relied on the assessment of documentary and testimonial evidence, emphasizing that land title claims must be substantiated by clear legal proof.

S. Devika De Livera